Conference Minutes

Minutes of the Conference of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, held at Jackson, Michigan, July 5th and 6th, 1845.

Saturday, 2 o'clock P. M., Conference was called to order by N. W. Bartholomew.

Wm. Quigley, R. J. Coats, and N. W. Bartholomew, were called to preside during the Conference.

Samuel Graham was chosen clerk.

By request, the Conference was addressed by R. J. Coats, on the subject of the kingdom; followed by Wm. Quigley on the same subject, and then proceeded to ascertain the number of official members present.

One High Priest, one seventy, eight Elders, one Priest, and one Deacon, were present.

The Jackson Branch was then represented by Elder George Catlin; thirty four members, including one High Priest, four Elders, one Priest and one Deacon; all in good standing.

Albion Branch, represented by Elder Samuel Graham; eighteen members, eleven in good standing; seven in standing, and have not been able to walk since Brother Noah Packard visited them with the circular of the Twelve.

Napoleon Branch, represented by Wm. Quigley; seven members including three Elders and one Priest; eight in good standing; one in standing.

A preamble and resolutions expressive of the feelings of the Albion Branch, were then read by Samuel Graham, and by a vote were adopted as a part of the minutes of the Conference.

Conference adjourned, by benediction, until Sunday, 10 o'clock, A. M.

Sunday morning, Conference met persuant [pursuant] to adjournment.

Opened by singing and prayer by Elder Wm. Quigley.

A crowded audience then listened to an address delivered by Elder Samuel Graham, on the ordinances of the gospel; followed by Arza Bartholomew, on the same subject. During the discourse, Mr. Elitson, a Methodist preacher, or rather an exhorter, and another gentleman, made some disturbance about a dog. After some threats had passed, the Rev. gentleman, Mr. Elitson, very much enraged observed if your dog kicks me again I will break his neck and yours too; after which the President interrupted them by calling them to order.

Conference adjourned until 2 o'clock P. M.

During the intermission three were added to the church by baptism.

Sunday after noon, Conference met persuant [pursuant] to adjournment.

Opened by singing, and prayer by Elder Willis Bartholomew, Conference was then addressed by Elder R. J. Coates, on the subject of the resurreetion [resurrection].

A preamble and resolutions expressive of the feelings of the Jackson Branch, were then read, as follows:

Whereas many false reports have been put in circulation by evil and designing men, with a view to prejudice the minds of many against the authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; therefore we deem it expedient to publish to the world by this preamble and the following resolutions, our views in regard to who has the authority and on whom rests the responsibility of bearing off the kingdom in these last days. Believing as we do that the Twelve, chosen by God, through the Prophet of the Most High, who has died a martyr to the cause, have this authority, therefore,

Resolved That we will sustain and uphold the Twelve by our prayers and abide their teachings.

Resolved, That we will use our united efforts in forwarding the building of the Temple and the Nauvoo House, and in carrying into effect all the purposes of the late Prophet Joseph.

An expression of the feelings of the Albion Branch:-

Dear Brethren and Sisters in the new and everlasting covenent [covenant], in Conference assembled:-Your rank and standing under the reign of the Prince of Peace, have never been surpassed, indeed have never been equelled [equaled] by any portion of the human race. You have visions and revelations of God. His being and perfection, developments of the depth of wisdom and knowledge of the council of his grace, and the purposes of his love, which give you an intellectual and moral superiority above all your predecessors in the Patriarchal or Jewish age of the world. Secrets of God which have been hid from ages and generations have been revealed to you be the apostles of the great Apostle and High Priest of your profession. Mountains are indeed leveled, valleys are exalted, and the rough places are made plain to your apprehension; and from this data you are able to form more just conceptions of the present, and more lofty anticipations of the future than fell to the lot of the most highly favored subjects of preceding dispensations. To be called the friend of God was the highest honor conferred upon Abraham; to be called the friends of Christ was the principal honor of the deciples [disciples] of Christ, to whom he committed the secrets of his Kingdom, but to be called the children of God through faith in Jesus Christ, is not only the common honor of the saints; but the highest honor which could be vouchsafed to the inhabitants of the earth. Such honor have we my fellow citizens, in being related to the only begotten Son of God; for to as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God. The world indeed does not know us, because they do not know Him. Beloved brethren, now are we the children of God, and shall we not cleave together in love and sweet union. Has not Jesus said "the couquerer [conqueror] shall inherit all things that he will not blot his name out of the book of life; that he will confess it before his father an the holy angels; that he will place him upon his Throne and give him a crown of eternal life that will never fade away. Dear brethren, let us then arise in the strength of Judah's Lion. Be valient [valiant] for the truth and adorn ourselves in all the graces of the spirit of God. Put on the armor of light and with all the gentleness, and mildness, and meekness that was in Christ; with all the courage, and patience, and zeal, and effort, worthy of a cause so salutary, so pure, so holy, and so divine, determined never to faint nor to falter, till we enter the pearly gates; never to lay down our arms till with the triumphant millions we stand before the throne and exultingly [exultantly] sing, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and wisdom, and honor, and glory, and blessing, forever and ever, Amen.

Resolved, That we love the brethren and love to listen to the counsel of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, for in them we have the most implicit confidence.

Resolved, That we will make all possible effort to tithe ourselves one tenth of our possessions, as soon as possible, and go up to Nauvoo.

WM. QUIGLEY, }

R. J. COATES, } Presidents.

N. W. BARTHOLOMEW. }

Samuel Graham, Clerk.

Minutes of a Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, held in the town of Florence, St. Joseph Co. Mich., June 7th and 8th, 1845.

At 10 o'clock A. M., Conference was called to order and Elder Crandell Dunn was called to the chair and Elder E. M. Webb, chosen clerk.

A hymn was sung, and Conference opened by payer by the President.

Official members present, one High Priest; Crandell Dunn; two Seventies, E. M. Webb, Pardon Webb; six Elders, Edward Willard, Jeremiah Cramer, Jonathan Willard, Ezekiel Lee, Seth Taft, George A. DeMont; two Priests, Thomas Forsyth and Thomas S. Smith.

Representation of Branches. Kalamazoo Branch, fifty eight members, nine Elders, one Priest, one Teacher, one Deacon, Elder E. Lee

Presiding Elder. Since last Conference, the Grand Prairie Branch of nine members have united with this. One has been baptised [baptized] and two dismissed by letter.

Bertrand Berrien Co. Branch; eighteen members, two Elders, one Priest, Gideon Brownel Presiding Elder; seven added since last Conference.

Mottville Branch, St. Joseph Co.; eleven members, two Elders, Andrew Thompson Presiding Elder.

Pawpaw Branch, Van Buren Co.; nine members, two Elders; Benjamin Waldren Presiding Elder.

Bethel Branch co. Branch; twenty three members, one Elder; Moses Olmstead Presiding Elder; twenty three added, two died and fourteen removed to Nauvoo since last Conference.

Florence Branch, St. Joseph co.; nine members, one High Priest, and thirty scattering members not represented by the above.

Moved and seconded that brother Orrin Craw be ordained an Elder to preside over the Florence Branch. Carried unanimously. He was ordained under the hands of Elders C. Dunn, E. M. Weeb [Webb] and E. Lee. After which the President gave some appropriate instructions to the saints, followed by E. M. Webb.

Benediction by Elder E .M. Webb; adjourned till three o'clock P. M.

Met according to adjournment. A hymn was sung, and prayer by Elder Ezekiel Lee. Another hymn was sung.

A discourse was then delivered by E .M. Webb on the fulfillment of prophecy, in which he demonstrated beyond successful contradiction that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of the Most High God, and that this work (called Mormonism) came forth in fulfillment to the predictions of the ancient Prophets.

He was followed by Elder C. Dunn on the same subject. Benediction by Elder Dunn. Adjourned till nine o'clock to-morrow morning.

Sabbath, June 8th; met persuant [pursuant] to adjournment, and held a prayer meeting. Dissmissed [Dismissed] for ten minutes. At 10 o'clock, preaching by Elder C. Dunn on the subject of the gospel, in which he ably set forth the necessity of strict obedience to the same in order to insure a crown of life. He was followed by Elder P. Webb. Benediction by Elder E. M. Webb.

Adjourned one half hour.

Met according to adjournment. Prayer by E. Lee.

E. M. Webb then addressed the assembly on the subject of the resurrection and inheritance of the saints; followed by E. Lee.

Voted that the minutes of this Conference be published in the Times and Seasons.

Voted that the Conference adjourn to meet in the Town of Comstock, Kalamazoo co. Mich. the first Saturday and Sunday in Sept. next.

Peace and harmony pervaded the Conference;-the spirit of God was manifested and the sublimities of eternity rested upon the congregation; the saints were edified and built up in the most holy faith, and rejoiced with exceeding great joy in view of the prospects of eternal life and the rich inheritance of the saints for which to God be all the glory: Amen.

CRANDELL DUNN, Pres.

E. M. Webb, Clerk.